A Closer Look at Red Rocks

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This is a stage like no other. It has interesting roots — and plenty of uses other than to host live music, too. Here’s a closer look at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Morrison, not far from Boulder.

This article is part of a larger series. To see all the articles in this Ultimate Guide, click here.

Red Rocks is a dramatic rock structure that is the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater on the planet.

Historians believe it was originally used by the Ute tribe before it was turned into a concert venue. From the 1870s until 1906, it was called the Garden of the Angels. Then, it was renamed the Garden of the Titans. The city of Denver bought the venue in 1928 and officially dubbed it Red Rocks, although that nickname had long been attached to the space.

Red Rocks can seat more than 9,500 people and has hosted many of the world’s most famous musicians, from the Beatles to Widespread Panic. It was a favorite stage for the Grateful Dead (a fun fact that Boulder holds dear).

Beyond listening to impeccably presented music on a jaw-dropping, sandstone mountainside, here are some of the other ways that you can enjoy Red Rocks:

Go hiking: Red Rocks is surrounded by more than 800 acres of open space. Even dinosaur bones.

Do yoga. Yoga on the Rocks attracts thousands every year to do yoga on the stairs.

Get a workout. Many people head to Red Rocks for a creative workout. Run up and down those stairs and you might need someone to carry you to your car.